Painted screw and washer assemblies

Abstract

A pre-assembled fastener and washer which facilitates application of paint to surfaces that would otherwise be exposed. Two annular protrusions formed on the unthreaded shank adjacent the head serve to retain the washer and fastener in an assembled condition with the washer spaced from the fastener head. Once the assembly has been painted and dried, the washer can be moved to its fully assembled position adjacent the fastener head. A method of forming a painted assembly is also disclosed.

I claim: 
     
       1. A pre-assembled fastener and washer unit comprising a fastener having a shank with threads on a portion thereof and a head at one end said head having an upper and a lower surface, said shank having threads with a first predetermined lateral dimension and, an unthreaded region situated between the threads and side head, a first annular protrusion having a second predetermined lateral dimension greater than the first extending outwardly from said unthreaded shank region, a second annular protrusion having a third predetermined lateral dimension also greater than said first extending outwardly from said unthreaded shank, said second protrusion being spaced farther from the fastener head than said first protrusion, a washer member having an upper and lower surface and a hole passing generally axially therethrough the periphery of the hole having a fourth predetermined lateral dimension which is greater than the first but less than the second and third such that the washer, when assembled with the fastener by passing the periphery of the washer over the threads and forcing the washer over said second protrusion, will be retained between said first and second protrusions at a position spaced from the lower surface of the head so that the upper and lower surfaces of the fastener head and washer will be accessible for painting and the like. 
     
     
       2. The pre-assembled fastener and washer unit of claim 1 wherein the second and third predetermined lateral dimensions are substantially equal. 
     
     
       3. The pre-assembled fastener and washer unit of claim 1 wherein said first and second annular protrusions are knurled rings. 
     
     
       4. The pre-assembled fastener and washer unit of claim 1 wherein said first and second annular protrusions are the upper and lower extremities of a single contoured knurled ring. 
     
     
       5. The pre-assembled fastener and washer unit of claim 1 wherein the washer has a plurality of slots extending radially outwardly from the periphery of the hole in the washer. 
     
     
       6. A method of forming a painted, pre-assembled washer and fastener unit comprising the steps of a. providing a threaded, headed fastener with threads of a first predetermined lateral dimension and two annular protuberances positioned between the head and the threads and being spaced from the head each protuberance having a lateral dimension greater than said first dimension;   b. providing a washer having a hole with a predetermined internal lateral dimension exceeding said first predetermined lateral dimension but being less than the predetermined lateral dimensions of both of the protuberances;   c. partially assembling the washer to the fastener by pushing it over one of the protuberances such that the washer is retained between the two protuberances at a position spaced from the head of the fastener;   d. coating at least the upper and lower surfaces of the fastener head and the upper surface of the washer with paint;   e. drying the coating of paint;   f. completing the washer assembly by forcing the washer over the other of the protuberances to a position adjacent the fastener head.   
     
     
       7. The method of claim 6 wherein the washer assembly is completed upon insertion of the fastener into a workpiece. 
     
     
       8. The method of claim 6 wherein the entire unit is coated with paint by dip coating.